Sabin Wine Journeys

What’s Been Going On.   Well, 2023 is coming to end, dear readers. It's tme to summarize what we've been up to. We began 2023 by checking-in with Annette Boyd for our second annual interview.   We hope we’ll have another conversation with her next year.   Over the course of   2023, we also interviewed Gabriele Rausse (May), Dr. Mizuho Nita (July), and Kirk Wiles (October).   These are in addition to informal chats with at least 17 winery and vineyard owners who unfailingly offered unique insights on their passion of growing and making wine in Virginia’s challenging environment.   We expanded our Facebook reach through the Sabin Wine Journeys page and regularly post to the Virginia Wine Mafia Facebook group. I also was privileged to attend the upper-level undergraduate/graduate-level “Introduction to Wine and Beer” course at George Mason University (March – May).   My sincere compliments to Professor Kerri LaCharite who must be the hardest worki...

December 7, 2023.   We felt it was high time to get back to our winery visits after taking a break over Thanksgiving.   We drove out to Boxwood Estate Winery which has a Middleburg address but is just over the county line in Fauquier County.   Approaching Boxwood from the south on Route 626 just outside of Halfway, you will pass the distinctive ochre-colored, white-columned manor house at Wavery.   This was the site of Piedmont Winery, the first commercial winery in Virginia’s modern era.   It is amazing that in just one generation we could move from dairy farm to nascent winery to, with Boxwood, a purpose-built modern winemaking facility encircled with extensive producing vines.   So much more is in store for us in the Commonwealth. Boxwood Estate Winery is owned by John Kent Cooke, the former president of Washington’s professional football franchise.   He appears to have brought together a stellar supporting cast to help establish his winery: Luc...

November 11, 2023.   Fall fell upon us last week with rain, dropping temperatures, and wind that seemed to herald the season.   But we took advantage of an Indian Summer day to make a visit to Quattro Goombas Winery near the town of Aldie.   More specifically, the winery is just north of Gilbert’s Corner on Route 15.   The short driveway into Quattro Goombas is heavily rutted so take it slowly and watch for craters. Quattro Goombas is the work of Jay DeCianno and his wife Judy.   They opened the winery in 2006 with another couple, the Camden’s, after they all moved here from Pittsburg.   The DeCianno’s have since bought out the Camden’s interest to become the sole owners of the winery.   Thus, what began as Quattro Goombas – four friends – might now be called “Due Goombas.”   Jay augmented the operations in 2014 by adding a brewery next door to the wine tasting room building.   You can freely move drinks between them.   Whiskey is also s...

October 27, 2023.   We used to drop-in on wineries with no advance notice and no thought about writing articles about them.   This blog has changed some of our approach, but its nice to feel that we can shift our travel plans as the spirit moves us.   We found ourselves leaving Hark Vineyards in the early afternoon and found out that we were just minutes away from Glass House Winery in Free Union.   So, we added on a short stop to the itinerary.   We last visited Glass House several years ago when it was owned by Jeff and Michelle Sanders.   They sold the operation to their friend Jay Smith in 2020, and we were interested to see if things had changed.   [This post will lack some of the details we normally cover because the the lone staffer on the bar was busy serving several parties.] The Sanders' founded Glass House in 2010 and have produced mostly estate-grown wines from their 15 acres under vine.   Their haul of awards from the Virginia Gov...

October 27, 2023.   We continued our meandering journey to Hark Vineyards in Earlysville, almost due West from Burnley crossing Route 29.   Once you get out in this vicinity, cell service can be spotty so take care with your navigation.   To me, the optimum development for a winery is to get the vineyard growing first since no great wine comes from inferior grapes.   Next build a production facility and make the investment to make wine on your own terms.   Lastly, build a tasting room to sell your product.   Hark seems to have its priorities straight.   Aaron and Candace Hark bought their property in 2015, began planting grapes in a cattle field in 2016, and had their first harvest in 2017.   They opened to the public in October 2019.   We spent some time talking with assistant winemaker Luke Hintz, who was doubling as wine server that afternoon.   Earnest and younger than his years, we greatly thank Luke for his time with us....

October 27, 2023.   We began the last day of our current trip by driving up Route 20 again and stopping at Burnley Vineyards in Barboursville.   This is one of the oldest Virginia vineyards.   Founded by C.J. Reeder in 1976 as a part-time operation with three acres of vinifera grapes, Burnley initially sold its grapes to other Virginia wineries.   In 1984, the Reeder Family – C.J. and his wife Pat, son Lee, the winemaker, and Lee’s wife, Dawn – shifted to making their own wines.   The vineyard has grown from the first three acres to 26 acres under vine today.   The approach to Burnley is up a shady gravel drive.   Oak and field maple leaves blanketed the property with a light Autumn tan as wine production and tastings happen in a dark brown mansard-roofed building dug into a small wooded hillside.     (Note: parking for handicapped is up that hillside between the trees.   The ramp is in the back of the facility.)   Reading the...

October 26, 2023.   Near where Route 20 jogs briefly on Route 33 in Barboursville, you will find the Barn at 678 Vineyard, a new winery located on Route 678 a few yards from the turn for the famous Barboursville Vineyard.   Opened in June 2022, the Barn is the work of Rick and Lorrie Bryant.   The tasting room is cozy and unfinished and may feel a bit cramped in the winter.     The side porch is better -   more relaxed with the vines standing just a few steps away beginning to turn a deep Autumn red.   Outside food is welcome.   Check their website for the food truck schedule.   We spoke with Rick Bryant who comes to this enterprise from his work in landscaping (according to the Barn website).   Interestingly, Rick didn’t say anything about landscaping. He told us that he is also a pathologist and medical examiner.   Talk about work that cries out for a change of pace to be outside in the vines and managing a wine business!  ...